COVID-19 impacted businesses both big and small all around the world. Some should consider themselves lucky if they only incurred losses because others had to make the difficult decision of shutting down their business and stop operations entirely.
Recently, COVID restrictions have begun to ease, and businesses have been considering the gradual reintegration of their teams back into the office. However, employers must provide safe working environments before bringing back employees into the office.
Unfortunately, in the UK, there was an incredible reduction of 11.6% in business investments between Q3 of 2019 and Q3 of 2020. How on earth can businesses possibly accept more added costs in creating COVID-safe workplaces in such a financial climate? Luckily, the UK introduced a new capital allowance offer that gives businesses 130% tax relief in investments in qualifying capital assets. It’s called the new super-deduction allowance, which can help lessen the financial burden of providing safe workplaces.
Technologies that help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the office qualify as ‘integral features of a building or structure’ under plant and machinery. You can claim a super-deduction allowance for them, giving you incredible savings when procuring these technologies for your office. But before you do, you might want to consider consulting professionals in capital allowance claims to find out what you need to do to claim capital allowance.
For example, if you own an accounting firm, consider consulting professionals well-versed in capital allowance for accounting firms to get the most out of your claims. They can help you save even more on costs in revamping your office.
Here are some ways technology can help create COVID-safe workspaces.
Contactless Wellness Checks
The first line of defense of any workplace is the entrance and the lobby. Contactless wellness checks and health reports help screen employees before they enter the office. It prevents anyone that doesn’t meet the health criteria set by the company from coming inside the workplace. Regardless if they’re COVID positive or not, the most important thing is keeping any illness far away from the office.
Contactless Reservations and Registration
Before, people wandered around the office until they found a free table and chair where they can get some work done. That should not continue anymore in a world where COVID exists.
Providing a way where employees can log in for the day and reserve a work desk without face-to-face interaction can do wonders in reducing the risk of COVID transmission in the office. It prevents employees from touching the same surfaces and limits them from crossing paths constantly each day. The strategy eliminates close contact in the office.
Automated Cleaning Devices
From robot cleaners to automatic disinfectant sprayers, having automated cleaning tools in your office helps maintain a clean workplace throughout the day. They help eliminate any lingering viruses and germs on office surfaces. These technologies also allow you to control them via apps, reinforcing minimum to no contact inside the office.
Removing COVID-19 in the Office
Air purifiers and UV-C lamps are becoming the preferred choice in killing off germs and viruses in both the office and home. It’s because they’re easy to operate and don’t require much work to use. Identify who in the office would be responsible for these devices and provide them with proper training and knowledge.
Socially Distanced Collaboration
The power of collaborations is one of the reasons why employers prefer having employees back in their offices. Just because COVID restrictions have been easing up, it doesn’t mean you can afford room for complacency. All it takes is one member of the company to contract COVID-19, and business operations would cease again for at least 14 days.
Utilizing remote communication programs or apps allows employees to collaborate on projects safely. They help improve the experience of working together even when physically apart. Collaborative projects can also benefit from remotely controlled computers. It allows team members to work on the same computer program, no matter where they are.
Cloud Storage System
Having a secure cloud storage system for your company allows employees to access any business document or file they need without going to the office. If they need printed files from the office, they can easily download the file from the cloud and print it themselves in the safety of their own homes. Instead of physically submitting documents and files, employees can upload their deliverables to the cloud instead.
Investing in technologies that keep the workplace COVID-safe is not only good for your employees, they’re also good for business. Giving employees peace of mind helps them focus on their work and worry less about getting exposed to COVID-19. Taking away that burden from your employees can result in better productivity, which will only help the company produce better outputs. Keep your business moving forward and consider using these technologies in making a COVID-safe office.
